Students of the Riverton Meadows Early Childhood Education Centre enjoy the company of Santa Claus while viewing performances from schoolmates during GraceKennedy's Staff Community Development Foundation Christmas treat at the school in Riverton Meadows, St. Andrew, on Wednesday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Some 161 excited children of Callaloo Mews and Riverton Meadows Early Childhood Centres were on Wednesday fêted by Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, as part if its Christmas outreach activities.

The children, who were between the age of three and six, were treated to storytelling by Amina Blackwood Meeks, performance from Casey Dance Ensemble, cooking demonstration and tales of Christmas past by Mazie from Creative Cooking, and performances from other children in the community.

Alleya Stephenson, category brand manager of Grace Food and Services, said Grace and Staff Community Development Foun-dation partnered with the marketing department and went into Riverton City to give the children the "entire Christmas feel".

The children were also given a variety of food to sample.

"We are really happy that Grace found time to come and mingle with the children," said Junior Rowe, principal of Riverton City Early Childhood Centre.

Mr. Rowe said Grace was no stranger to the institution, as the company, along with Berger Paints, provides products for the school's breakfast-feeding programme.

Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation is the outreach arm of GraceKennedy and Company Limited.

It was established in 1979 in response to the social and economic conditions existing in inner-city communities, within the environs of the parent company.

The objectives of the foundation are: the relief of poverty, suffering and distress among the poor and unemployed, as well as supporting activities which promote community development.